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Zurich U.S. Launches Defensive Driving Program on CD ROM

17 June 1999

Zurich U.S. Launches Defensive Driving Program on CD ROM

    SCHAUMBURG, Ill., June 16 -- Zurich U.S., a leading
commercial property and casualty insurance company, recently launched an
Interactive Defensive Driving (IDD) training program, CD ROM-based, available
to fleet owners, managers, car and light vehicle operators and individuals who
utilize personal vehicles for company business.
    Zurich U.S. created the innovative training program to deliver relevant
and immediate driver support and management reporting.  "The IDD program is
designed to help protect our customers' bottom line results," said Mark
Hetherington, manager of Transportation Risk Engineering at Zurich U.S.
    The program provides "best practice" training with numerous interactive
exercises -- over 70 of which are video-based.  The program highlights the
links between driving knowledge, attitude and behavior.
    Participants progress through best practice training, covering topics
ranging from defensive driving principles to evaluating the potential for road
rage.  After reviewing training topics, drivers proceed to the assessment
section of the program to test highway, city and country driving skills;
knowledge; and hazard recognition.  Drivers receive immediate feedback and
test results.  Scores are also captured for management reports.
    Mr. Hetherington said, "Zurich U.S. customers who follow this program may
see the immediate and long-term benefits resulting from a reduction in the
frequency and severity of certain types of accidents.  We also think that the
training program can contribute to business productivity and profitability by
helping to promote an 'accident free' culture."

    Training topics that are currently available interactively through Zurich
U.S. include:
    -- Principles of defensive driving -- car control
    -- Applying defensive driving methods -- country and city driving
    -- Highway driving -- staying out of trouble
    -- Twenty tips to save your life -- A to Z of motorist safety

    For more information about the Interactive Defensive Driving training
program, please contact Mark Hetherington or Kate Quan at 847-605-6136.

    Zurich U.S. is a leading commercial property and casualty insurance
company serving the multinational, middle market and small business sectors in
the U.S.  Headquartered in Schaumburg, IL, the company has regional offices in
New York,  Chicago, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Dallas, Atlanta and
Philadelphia.  Zurich U.S. is a member of the Zurich Financial Services Group,
a global leader in the financial services industry.
    Providing its customers with solutions in the area of financial protection
and asset accumulation, the Zurich Financial Services Group concentrates its
activities in four core businesses: non-life and life insurance, reinsurance
and asset management.  Headquartered in Zurich, Switzerland, the Group's
worldwide presence builds on strong positions in its three home markets -- the
United States, the United Kingdom and Switzerland.  It has offices in more
than 60 countries reaching over 33 million customers and employing 68,000
employees.